On Friday we decided to take the old-man electric bikes in our jeep Polo to Fanning Springs State Park and environs.  On the earlier trip relocating Khan and Polo to Florida, Scott and Tom rode Scott’s “Ride Scoozy” and Steve’s “Rad Power” ebikes.  Since the entire group would be riding this time Tom needed to purchase his own bike.  He purchased an XP 3.0 from “Lectric” and had it shipped to Scott’s house.  We now collectively own 3 similar folding ebikes from different manufacturers with different features.

Our first stop was at a small section of the park – Fanning Springs State Park Wayside Picnic Area – with a landing on the Suwannee river with a section of the original Fanning Springs Bridge – with a huge “Way Down Upon the Suwannee River” sign on it.  We took pictures, then went next door to the main park were we met a nice ranger lady who took $6 from us and gave us advice about their nice-but-short hiking trail that we could ride on.

After completing the trail we needed snacks for diabetic Scott, so we rode across the street and hit the Arco station for these.  We then played pool and beat the Harley Owners soundly at the neighboring lounge (actually, we just parked our hogs next to theirs and took a picture, then left before they came out.)

We then found another trail – “Nature Coast State Trail” and bushwacked our way to it.  Wide, paved, and straight as an arrow (probably a rail-trail.)  We rode a mile or so, but Steve – who is always cold – declared that we had ridden far enough despite that all of our bikes had 80% or so battery left.  We returned to Polo, locked the bikes and drove to the Suwannee Belle Landing restaurant for another great meal.

Returning to the park, we walked to the river landing from this park and found both birds and manatees, which we thoroughly photographed.   After that, stowed the bikes and returned home.  Tired from our long day of adventure we ate leftovers and had an early bedtime.